Deserts and Grasslands photographic tour
Grasslands and salt planes are one of the least explored places on earth and one of the few places where people do not except to see an abundance of wildlife. Even in the most hostile environments wildlife thrives. Here, in the harsh deserts and salty drylands, are India's specialists and are home to some of the best wildlife in the world. This expedition will take you to Velvadar National Park and Little Rann of Kutch, two of the most beautiful places in Gujarath for wildlife. These two parks give you ample opportunity to take some dramatic wildlife photographs, because of the open nature of the landscape.
Velvadar National Park
If you've always dreamed of visiting the African savannah, but haven't quite managed to make the trip, a journey to Velvadar may help quench your wanderlust. You'l find a land of wide-spreading golden grasslands under a deep blue sky, where spiral-horned antelope, the Blackbucks can be seen bounding up out of the grasses. Close to the coast there are wetlands full of birds, and in the evenings, sea-breezes blow up into the savannah and cools things off after a hot day in the sun. At night, wolves and jackals roam the fields, and the flat country offers a tremendous view of a starry sky.
The park is known for its large blackbuck antelope population, Velavadar is also one of the few places where the wolf is proliferating in India though they are rarely seen in the daylight. Early march is the rutting period for these antelopes and we should be able to witness conflicts between rival males, each contestant uttering grunting challenges as they face each other with spiraled horns laid flat along their backs. This is the time of the year when male Blackbuck establish their dominance over harems of females, and many skirmishes occur as the younger bucks seek to displace the older animals and claim their right to reproduce.
Little Rann of Kutch
A fiat, salt-cracked vast barren desert, hissing sand storms and the majestic wild ass roaming over mirage waters make the little rann of Kutch an unique and one of the most fascinating wilderness of the world. The rann was a shallow part of the Gulf of Kachchh earlier. It is formed through the process of siltation of marine estuary. During monsoon, the discharge of river and rain waters together with sea water blown up due to south west winds, the rann becomes a vast shallow sheet of water which dries up by October, November leaving a flat surface.
Asiatic Wild Ass is extraordinarily well adapted, hardest of all mammals, which are able to adapt in this environment. They can go months without drinking, getting moisture from plants, which they travel miles to find. Adaptations like these are essential for life in these hard places
Features of the Expedition :
- 7 days/6 night stay at Kutch and Velvadar
- 11 jungle safaris in each of the parks with only 4 participants in each jeep for optimal photographic opportunity.
- Learn in the field the wildlife photography techniques, composition tips and post-processing, and review photographs every day after the safari.
Safari Schedule
Day 1 - 8th Dec (Sat)
We arrive in Ahmedabad by morning and take a 3 hour drive to Velavadar to reach there in time for lunch. We check into the guest house which is located inside the sanctuary, overlooking the grassland. We will go on our first safari in the evening to get familier with the park and at dinner we can all interact and discuss about the Velavadar wildlife and the landscape.
Day 2 & 3 - 9th and 10th Dec
These two days we leave early in morning and evening to explore the Velavadar sanctuary to photograph Black bucks, Nilgais, Indian wolfs, Jungle cat, if lucky Striped Hyena, raptors like Harriers, Greater spotted eagle, Steppe eagle, Common Kestrel etc.. and many other birds. This being the lekking season for the Blackbucks, the males will be engaged in battle for terrotory in the lek site which will give us dramatic photographic oppurtinity.
Day 4 - 11th Dec
We spend few hours in the morning in Velvadar and then drive to reach Little Rann of Kutch by evening. We will check into Rann Riders resort, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Day 5 & 6 - 12th & 13th Dec
Next two days we will take early morning and late afternoon drives into the Sanctuary to avoid the midday heat, and to take advantage of peak animal activity. Between game drives we will relax at our resort and see what bird life we can find in the vicinity.
The Wild Asses are shy creatures and quick to take flight at the approach of danger. With so much deserts to roam and coloration that aids concealment, the herds of Asses are not easy to locate. However, using local knowledge we will hope to find the favored bets and if we succeed are likely to see substantial herds of Asses, possibly several hundred animals. In such situations we may be able to approach quite close in our vehicles and get some good photographic opportunities.
Kutch is also home to may other animals like Desert and Indian fox, Desert and Jungle cat, Indian Wolf, Hedgehogs and other rare animals are Caracal, Ratel, Striped Hyena etc. The avifauna is relatively impoverished but it is possible to find Indian Courser, Macqueen's Bustard, Yellow-wattle lapwing, Sandgrouse, Ashy-crowned Sparrow Lark, Greater hoopoe lark, Short eared owl, the chance of both Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Cranes like Sarus and Common Cranes and many raptors like Steppe eagles, Harriers, Long legged buzzards etc.
Day 7 - 14th Dec
After a Morning ride we pack up and leave to Ahmedabad which is around 1/2 hours drive form Rann Riders with pleasant memories and great images.
Is this Safari for you ?
Here are some key points to help you decide:
1. Photographers of All levels are welcome. This safari will be conducive to learning from one another and include instruction that will suit everyone's photographic needs. No question is off limits, no inquiry too basic.
2. Photographing in the field is the main KEY. Most of our time and effort will be spent on safari activity and making images. We do meet daily to review images, discuss technique, and have informal lectures on many topics related to wildlife photography. This safari is intended for those who wish to increase the quality of their photography.
What's Included?
- open-jeep safaries in each of the locations
- All park fees
- Accommodation, based on double occupancy
- All 3 meals inclusive with morning and evening tea
- Services of guides and drivers
What is Not Included?
- Your travel charges to and back to your hometown from Ahmedabad
- Tips for staff such as guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic beverages and sodas
- Laundry, phone and other items of a personal nature
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Dates
Dec 8th - 14th, 2012
Safari leader
Dilan Mandanna is a professional naturalist, wildlife photographer and filmmaker from Coorg. He freelances with international productions like National Geographic and BBC.
The Cost
The cost of all-inclusive safari is Rs 33,900 per person (but not inclusive of travel till Ahmedabad). The same rate applies for each participant regardless of whether they are doing photography and participating in the safari, or not.
Accommodation is two persons to a room. If you wish to have a private room (single occupancy) there will be a supplementary charge of Rs 4000.
What Do I Do Next?
If you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any queries to mandil47@gmail.com.
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